The Sunderland vs Newcastle derby match will run for seven weeks on Sundays, with kick-off at 2pm on Sunday 14 December 2025.
Tomorrow (October 25, 2025) marks exactly ten years since the last Wear-Tyne derby in the Premier League.
In January 2024 there was of course an FA Cup match, Sunderland against Newcastle, with an easy 3-0 win for United.
That derby match was notable for a number of reasons, not least because it became a ‘bubble match’ for all Newcastle United fans. Having to travel on organized transport, rather than being able to choose how you travel to Wearside.
I assumed that after they did the ‘bubble’ thing for that FA Cup match last time, it would automatically be enforced for all future matches, whether the fans liked it or now.
But apparently not.
Fortunately, there are no plans for the match between Sunderland and Newcastle on Sunday, December 14, to make it a ‘bubble match’ for the traveling United fans.
The minutes of the latest Supporter Collective Meeting (where Sunderland fans meet senior club officials) have shown this to be the case. With the minutes stating:
‘The upcoming match against Newcastle United was discussed. It has been confirmed that there are no plans at this stage for the match to be a ‘bubble match’, so away fans will be free to choose how they travel to the Stadium of Light. There are challenges as the footprint of the Stadium of Light has changed in recent months, and the Club is working closely with police and fan representatives to ensure it is a safe experience for all supporters.”
When I went through the minutes of the meeting where Sunderland fans met club officials, I thought there were a few other things that might interest you. My comments are in parentheses after each topic.
Prices replica shirt:
The Club stated that equipment prices were being held for another year and offered the lowest in the PL.
(***I went to check and sure enough, while Newcastle United charge £85 for an adult replica shirt, Sunderland adult replica shirts cost £60)
Season tickets:
Season tickets sold out for the first time in the club’s history following promotion to the PL. There is now an ever-growing waiting list.
(***First time ever?!!!)
Ticket sales:
It was indicated that there is interest in a service where season ticket holders can resell their match day tickets if they are unable to attend. It was confirmed that testing on the new system will take place to make this possible.
(***I thought all Premier League clubs already did this?)
Stadium expansion:
Asked when the club would consider stadium expansion.
Confirming that the Club has investigated this and the options available, the Club is committed to ensuring that the stadium is fit for purpose and allows us to compete.
PSR:
Confirmed that there are currently no concerns regarding PSR.
Confirmed that the Club is working with long-term strategies across multiple scenarios for effective future budgeting planning.
Mexico:
Recognized the Club’s new link with Mexico, which has resulted in the addition of 600,000 followers to the Club’s digital platforms since the start of the season.
(***What is Sunderland’s link with Mexico…?)
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